African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar condemns what he describes as an attack by the Tinubu administration on the Catholic Church and Cardinal John Onaiyekan. In statements issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku says the government’s response reflects an increasing intolerance of dissent and “uncomfortable truths.”
Atiku argues that Catholic bishops and priests have long served as moral voices for the poor and vulnerable and that their role is to speak truth to those in power rather than flatter officials. He says the bishops’ engagement with the President involved confronting the state of the nation, and that the Presidency’s reaction—through intimidation, ridicule, and political attacks—is inappropriate.
He also defends Onaiyekan’s decision to speak to the press as an effort to place facts on record after the Presidency allegedly sought to dominate and distort public discussion. Atiku calls on the Presidency to apologise to the Catholic Church, adding that the use of insults rather than addressing the issues shows a lack of substance in the administration’s arguments. He urges other religious leaders to emulate what he describes as independent, patriotic criticism.
